Assessing Expansion Potential for a Local Care Home

As demand for care home spaces continues to grow, so does the need for innovative solutions to expand existing facilities. Gravitas Build Ltd recently undertook a foundational investigation at a bustling local care home, assessing the feasibility of adding an extra floor. By digging trial holes and inspecting structural integrity, our team evaluated the building’s foundation strength and explored ways to safely support an additional floor.

To assess the feasibility of this extension, our team undertook a series of trial digs and structural inspections on the building. These trial holes, reaching a depth of at least 1 meter, were strategically placed to examine the building’s foundations. Understanding the soil composition and the foundational strength at different points allows our engineers to determine if the structure can support an additional floor.

In addition to the trial holes, we conducted ceiling inspections to observe ceiling joist positioning and to analyze the walls’ structural integrity. These checks are crucial in determining the building’s ability to bear the weight and stresses of an expanded structure. The insights gathered from these tests are pivotal in shaping the care home’s future and ensuring that any planned expansion is safe, sustainable, and able to meet the ongoing needs of residents.

Health and Safety: Ensuring Minimal Disruption in a Live Care Environment

Conducting foundational assessments in a live care home setting requires strict adherence to health and safety protocols. Although the trial holes were located outside, some were positioned directly outside emergency exits, necessitating secure covers to ensure safe, unobstructed pathways until the engineer could inspect them. Additionally, careful attention was given to the location of pipes and cables during both the exterior digs and the ceiling openings. This precaution helped prevent accidental damage to critical systems and ensured the safety of residents and staff.

Prior to beginning the work, our team conducted an initial site visit to carefully plan the project while minimizing any impact on residents and staff. Key considerations included:

1. Confirming Trial Hole Positions: Ensuring precise locations to avoid unnecessary disturbance.
2. Material Assessment and Equipment Planning: Evaluating the nature of materials and determining the appropriate tools, machinery, and waste disposal methods, along with resources to restore areas post-inspection.
3. Access Logistics: Identifying potential challenges for material delivery and waste removal to avoid disruption.
4. Protecting Sensitive Areas: Using coverings to protect floors, door jambs, and other areas from damage during work.
5. Managing Dust and Noise: Assessing if dust extraction or noise reduction measures were needed to maintain a comfortable environment for residents.
6. Safety and Security: Keeping tools attended to avoid risks, especially given the presence of vulnerable residents.
7. Collaboration with Care Staff: Meeting with the care team helped us understand resident needs and manage noise and dust to suit their routines.
8. Work Scheduling with Engineers: Coordinating the program of works with the surveyor and engineers’ inspection schedule to streamline processes and limit prolonged disruption.
9. RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement): Developing detailed RAMS to ensure that all safety protocols were clearly outlined and followed.

This meticulous planning process allowed us to deliver a smooth and efficient assessment with minimal impact on the care home’s daily operations. By prioritizing safety and collaboration, we ensured that this essential groundwork respected the well-being of residents and staff alike.

Foundation Types and Possible Remedial Work

Buildings can rest on various types of foundations, including strip foundations, raft foundations, and piled foundations. Depending on the soil conditions and structural demands, each type offers different load-bearing capacities and stability.

• Strip foundations are commonly used for smaller, lighter buildings. If a strip foundation needs reinforcement to support an additional floor, solutions might involve underpinning, where concrete is placed beneath the existing foundation to increase its depth and load-bearing capacity.
• Raft foundations, also known as mat foundations, distribute loads across a larger area and are typically used in situations where the soil has low bearing capacity. If a raft foundation isn’t sufficient for a new load, additional concrete slabs may be poured to strengthen it, or micro-piling can be introduced to bolster the foundation’s integrity.
• Piled foundations involve deep, cylindrical piles driven into the ground to reach stronger soil layers. If an existing piled foundation needs reinforcement, adding additional piles or pile caps may be necessary to stabilize the structure for the added weight.

These remedial methods ensure the building’s foundation can support the extra floor, allowing the care home to expand safely and sustainably. By conducting thorough assessments and preparing a clear plan for any necessary upgrades, we aim to help the care home expand its capacity with confidence.

Are you interested in carrying out a care home expansion feasibility study​? If you have a project you’d like to discuss with us, feel free to contact us; we’d love to help.

Call us on 0121 403 3693 for more information.